News.

Pujaris to receive honorarium up to Rs. 3 thousand

04 Oct 2018

Orders have been issued by the state government to ensure compliance of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announcements made in the interest of pujaris. As per the issued order, the benefits of Sambal Yojana will be given to the Pujari and Sevadar of all the government temples. An increase of 3 folds has been made in the honorarium of pujaris, which will facilitate them to receive honorarium up to Rs. 3 thousand. Health check-up facility twice a year and medical facilities as required will also be provided to them. Amendments have also been made in the provisions in connection to the procedure of removal and appointment of pujaris along with eligibility under the Mukhya Mantri Teerth-Darshan Yojana pujari as per the expectations of pujaris.

According to the order issued by the state government, pujaris of government-controlled temples (which do not possess agriculture land) will receive an honorarium at the rate of Rs. 3 thousand per month. Pujaris of those temples which possess agricultural land up to 5 acres will get honorarium at the rate of Rs. 2100 per month. Similarly, pujaris of temples, who possess 5 to 10 acres of agriculture land will receive Rs. 1560 per month and pujaris of temples having more than 10 acres of agricultural land will get Rs. 500 per month.

Pujaris of temples that own 10 acres of agricultural land can utilize income generated from the agriculture land for themselves. The auction of more than 10 acres agricultural land can be done by pujaris themselves under the guidance of collector’s representative. The income generated by it will be deposited in the account of temples.

Moreover, amendments have also been made in the appointment of kathavachaks and arrangement of removal and nomination. Sub-Divisional Officer Revenue have been authorized for the removal and nomination of pujaris for the maintenance and appointment of kathavachaks.

Under the Mukhya Mantri Teerth Darshan Yojana, the age limit of pujaris of government-controlled temples has been abolished. Apart from this, pujaris and sevadars of all the government-controlled temples have been included under the Mukhya Mantri Jan-Kalyan (Sambal Yojana). Those temples which have been provided less than one-hectare land for maintenance, registration of all the pujaris and sevadars (which are not income taxpayer and in government service) of such temples will be made under the Sambal Yojana